South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has been advised to rest after falling ill following his return from the BRICS summit in India, his office said on Wednesday.
Ramaphosa, 73, returned home on Monday after attending the two-day meeting of BRICS leaders in New Delhi, which ended on Sunday.
The presidency said the president had withdrawn from scheduled public engagements on the advice of his doctors as he recuperates.
“Where possible, the president has asked the respective ministers to represent him at scheduled engagements,” his office said.
The development means that both of South Africa’s top political leaders are currently away from public duties.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile is also recovering from a minor medical procedure and said on Tuesday that his recovery was progressing well.
Mashatile said he was “regaining strength each day” and would continue to rest until cleared by his doctors.
“On the advice of my doctors, I will continue resting until advised otherwise while work and delegated responsibilities continue to be underway in the capable team in my office with other stakeholders in government, business and other sectors,” he said.
Neither the presidency nor Mashatile provided further details about the nature of Ramaphosa’s illness or indicated when either leader would fully resume public engagements.
Ramaphosa’s absence follows his participation in the BRICS summit, where leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa discussed global economic cooperation and other international issues, including developments in the Middle East.
The South African president’s temporary withdrawal comes as the country enters a politically active period ahead of local government elections scheduled for November 4.
Despite the absence of both Ramaphosa and Mashatile, the presidency said government business would continue, with ministers representing the president at engagements where necessary.
The simultaneous recovery of the president and deputy president places additional attention on the government’s delegated arrangements as South Africa approaches the local elections.
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